Kennedy Saves the World: Michael Malice Deconstructs Modern Politics
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Michael Malice, Author and Host of "You're Welcome" Podcast
Episode Overview
In this lively and incisive episode, Kennedy welcomes her longtime friend and provocateur Michael Malice for a freewheeling conversation that zigzags from North Korea and American freedoms to the dysfunction of modern political parties and public figures. Together, they deconstruct the absurdities of contemporary politics with humor, skepticism, and trenchant personal observations. Malice's anarchist perspective contrasts with Kennedy’s libertarianism, creating a high-energy dialogue about the value of freedom, the fate of big cities, and the perils of governmental solutions that miss the mark.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
North Korea: The Forgotten Crisis
- North Korea as a Genuine Threat?
- Michael dismisses the narrative that North Korea is an existential threat to the U.S., highlighting the suffering of North Korean people as the real crisis, not external aggression.
- Quote: “It's insane... Even if you're China... you have all different kinds of terrain, surrounded by oceans, surrounded by friendly nations, both sides the most unpopulous.” (03:00)
- American Misperceptions & Media:
- The conversation critiques the U.S. media for failing to grasp the human toll of the regime, instead focusing on saber-rattling.
- Malice stresses American privilege regarding free speech and civil liberties, imploring gratitude for freedoms taken for granted.
- Quote: “I really hate how insular a lot of Americans are, and I think people should be more grateful... realize no one else has this.” (06:44)
- Reckless Activism in Authoritarian Regimes:
- Kennedy recalls how attempts to "help" North Koreans—such as leaving Bibles—can actually endanger local lives, prompting sober reflection on unintended consequences.
- “If you have contraband... in North Korea... it's as dangerous as it gets.” —Malice (04:39)
Reflections on U.S. Presidents & Political Culture
- Favorite Ex-Presidents:
- Malice, with tongue-in-cheek, calls Biden his favorite living ex-president for “paying off in dividends” as an easy opponent. (07:39)
- Discussion on Ulysses S. Grant, with Kennedy defending his character from misconceptions about his drinking, and Malice noting Grant was a “bad president” but an interesting post-president.
- Obama & Post-Presidency Influence:
- Malice posits that 2024 was a repudiation of “his style of politics,” seeing splits between the Obama, Clinton, and Biden factions within the Democratic Party. (10:26)
- Kennedy delights in the “dynastic” infighting among Democrats, finding their mutual animosity fascinating (11:02).
The Mental Stability of High-Profile Politicians
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Katie Porter & Public Meltdowns:
- Ongoing controversy around Rep. Katie Porter serves as a springboard for discussing the prevalence of severe dysfunction and derangement among political figures.
- Malice draws a line between "crazy" as quirkiness and genuine mental instability that makes some public officials “dangerously, severely mentally ill.” (13:19)
- Quote: “When we say they're crazy, we don't mean like, 'you're crazy' or 'I'm crazy'... No, this person cannot be allowed to walk the streets.”
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Comparison to Public Figures on "The View" and Beyond:
- Malice references Rosie O'Donnell as an example of someone masking mental illness in public life, offering a wider critique.
Trump, Consequence, and Political Paradigm Shifts
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Trump’s Transformation:
- Both agree Trump underwent a shift after his first term, realizing that “these people are playing for keeps.”
- Malice declares that, for the first time, Democrats “have had consequences for their bull—t” (17:07), referencing judicial and political actions against Trump as payback for past Democratic excesses (notably the Kavanaugh hearings).
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Trump’s Foreign Policy Achievements:
- They credit Trump for his unconventional approach to the Middle East and the Abraham Accords, marveling at the political press’s reluctance to acknowledge his breakthroughs.
- Quote (re: the press and Obama): “They would be covered in theoretical ejaculate.” —Kennedy (24:26)
- Malice points out that Trump approached global deals with the acumen of a New York real estate developer, breaking with Washington groupthink. (25:09)
The Future of the GOP Without Trump
- Post-Trump Republican Party:
- Malice speculates the GOP will “be in very bad shape after him, because he’s the glue.” (26:16)
- Kennedy offers a vivid analogy, likening post-Trump GOP disarray to her daughter’s room soon after it's been cleaned—chaotic with no “abstraction and vision.” (26:26)
- They discuss J.D. Vance—seeing him as a “hockey goon” more than a visionary—and express skepticism about the staying power of similar populists.
Anarchism & Modern Political Labels
- Malice’s Political Identity:
- Clarifies he is not an “anarcho-capitalist” but a broader anarchist, appreciating aspects of anarcho-communist thought and skeptical of “capitalism” as a coherent term. (28:00)
- Finds limited camaraderie with Antifa members due to their willingness for direct action against government injustice, but diverges sharply on definitions of “fascism” and targets.
- Quote: “If you have a government that is doing evil things, it is appropriate and very American to take up arms and use force and direct action to fight back against them.” (28:27)
Progressive Urban Policy and Its Pitfalls
- NYC Politics, Bodegas, and ‘Spirals’ of Poverty:
- Kennedy relays South Bronx residents’ skepticism at $60M proposals for government-run grocery stores when “we have grocery stores, look around.” (29:28)
- Malice lambastes figures like Mamdani and progressive DAs for fostering lawlessness—calling them “extremely dangerous” and “sociopaths.” (30:11, 31:02)
- Predicts business flight and “poverty spirals” in NYC if anti-business/pro-criminal policies persist, noting migration trends to places like Austin and Miami (32:29).
Crime, Public Safety, and the Plight of the Cities
- Impact of Decriminalization:
- Both bemoan the reluctance of bystanders to intervene against public disorder after high-profile prosecutions like Daniel Penny’s, fearing legal and financial ruin.
- Quote: “I would always sit next to a big guy, and... after Daniel Penny, it’s like that guy’s not gonna defend me... That guy’s not gonna get up and put someone in a chokehold.” — Kennedy (33:06)
- The Poor Always Suffer Most:
- Kennedy and Malice agree soft-on-crime policies endanger and impoverish low-income residents most, not the well-off promulgators of such policies. (33:43)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “[Americans] really think free speech is like a given everywhere on earth. It's not. It's here. This is the list.” —Michael Malice (06:07)
- “I want him [Biden] to be the nominee. Talk about paying off in dividends.” —Michael Malice (07:39)
- “I think he's very, very smart, and he knows he's smart. And Adlai Stevenson showed us that Americans don't like people who know they're smart.” —Michael Malice, on J.D. Vance (27:27)
- “If Obama had achieved this... they would be covered in theoretical ejaculate.” —Kennedy (24:26)
- “If you have a government that is doing evil things, it is appropriate and very American to take up arms and use force and direct action to fight back against them.” —Michael Malice (28:27)
- “Every time I come back [to New York], another store that I liked is gone. And when I’m on the subway, I forgot how I accepted this as normal.” —Michael Malice (32:40)
- “Are you gonna vote?” “I don’t vote here. I vote in California.” —Kennedy (34:34)
Important Timestamps
- 00:51: Michael Malice’s introduction and North Korea context
- 01:54: Discussing the real threat of North Korea and neglect of the people suffering there
- 04:39: The dangers of cultural activism in authoritarian countries
- 06:00: On American privilege and global scarcity of free speech
- 10:26: Obama’s legacy and intra-Democratic Party conflict
- 13:19: On genuinely disturbed politicians and public figures
- 17:07: The rise of Trump: “consequences for Democrats”
- 18:38: Trump post-assassination attempt and newfound grit
- 24:26: Hypothetical media reaction if Obama had achieved Middle East peace deal
- 26:16: Prediction that the GOP will unravel post-Trump
- 28:00: Malice’s political identity—anarchism
- 29:28: Reaction of South Bronx residents to progressive grocery proposals
- 32:29: The accelerating exodus from blue cities like NY and CA
- 33:06: The impact of soft-on-crime policies on public safety
Tone & Approach
- Language: Irreverent, candid, and witty; both hosts spar with playful insults, deep historical references, and sharp contemporary barbs.
- Vibe: Rapid-fire, skeptical, and politically heterodox; they blend gallows humor and passionate advocacy for individual freedom.
Summary for New Listeners
This episode offers a fast-paced, entertaining, and frequently biting examination of American political dysfunction as seen through the lens of freedom, personal responsibility, and governmental overreach. Malice and Kennedy exchange sharp asides on the phony narratives of threat (North Korea), the self-interest and neuroses of public figures, the legacy of Trump, the decline of blue cities, and the false dawns of progressive fixes. Their conversation is both a warning and a celebration of free thought—a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the chaos and comedy of politics today.